Book Nook: Healed - Wellness for the 21st Century

Bio - Dr. Robin Miller is an established author (The Smart Woman's Guide to Midlife and Beyond and Kids Ask the Doctor), and has gathered the knowledge, insights and anecdotes offered in this book over the course of 33 years of treating patients using the principles of integrative medicine. Board certified in Internal Medicine, she trained with Andrew Weil as an Integrative Medicine Fellow at University of Arizona. She is currently Medical Director of Triune Integrative Medicine, a highly innovative integrative medicine clinic in Medford, Oregon. She blogs regularly for Sharecare.com, an interactive health and wellness website founded in conjunction with Dr. Mehmet Oz, where she serves as Executive Advisory Board member. Robin is also a medical reporter and a regular correspondent for KOBI-5, the NBC affiliate in Southern Oregon.

I had a chance to post an interview to learn more.

-       Why have you written this book?

As an Integrative medicine doctor, I have found the best approach to health and healing is to partner with my patients and find the best preventive measures and treatments that work for them as individuals.  I am always in search of new; evidence-based therapies that will help them lead their best lives.  In Healed, we share these approaches so patients will be aware of their many options for wellness.

-       You have been using an approach to depression that does not involve drugs, what is it and how effective is it?

A healthy diet and exercise are essential for starters. But, I also do gene test that is very helpful.  It is called MTHFR. This is a gene that codes for enzymes that help the body process folic acid in the gut.  When we take in folate, these enzymes convert folic acid to L-methylfolate.  L-methylfolate is what the body uses to make serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.  These are chemicals that give us energy and help us feel good.  If you have one mutation on the gene (64% of us do!), your levels are down by about 30%. If you have two, you are down by about 70%.  If you have these mutations, supplementing with a vitamin, L-methylfolate can help with mood and energy level.

-       Is there something new to spice up women’s sex lives? What is scream cream?

Yes! Viagra, arginine and aminophylline combined in a cream and applied to the clitoral area is very effective at improving women’s ability to reach orgasm.  Of course, after it is applied, just like with men, women need to wait 30 to 45 minutes before it works!

-       We often hear about the benefits of coffee, are they true? Yes.

For those who metabolize coffee normally, there is a decreased risk for a number of diseases and conditions; Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, tinnitus, endometrial and colorectal cancers, and depression.

-       What about chocolate, it is good for us? Yes, in moderation.

Dark chocolate (70% organic cocoa or greater) has been found to improve blood flow to the brain, decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease and a small square on the tongue can help prevent coughing for an hour!

If you could leave one final thought for readers of your book, what do you hope they gain?

I hope our readers realize health and wellness can be obtained at any age. They can find it with many of the new ideas and concepts discussed in our book along with healthy eating, exercise, and of course ballroom dancing!